14 Best Welding Schools in Arizona

Are you residing in Arizona? Have you been considering a career in welding? This article includes information on what you can expect to earn, and where you can expect to learn welding in Arizona. These schools provide classes in Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) as well as conventional pipe welding, making sure you receive the right training. Not only industrial welders, but also artists such as sculptors can broaden their ability and skill with programs such as these. You can find a list of more welding schools on this page.

Welding Salary in Arizona

The median hourly wage for welders in Arizona is $18.97. The various hourly wages typically varies from $12.03 to about $31.48 per hour. Welders earn a median salary of approximately $39,000 per year. The average salary of welders in Arizona varies from approximately $25,020 to about $65,470. This does not include bonuses and benefits information and other factors which affect base pay. 

Two of the highest paying employers are gas and electrical utilities, at $59,620 and $61,110 respectively. A majority of the employers are in the manufacturing and construction sectors, where pay averages around $35,000 to $37,000 per year.

However, the salary for a welder usually varies based on a number of factors which include industry, location, company size, level of education, and years of experience.

Welding Job Market in Arizona

Welding certification is expected by most contractors; most people prepare for the certification exams through a program approved by the American Welding Society. Graduates of these programs more easily find job opportunities waiting for them after completing their training.

As of 2015, welding provided job opportunities for about 4,160 individuals in Arizona. Looking at 2022, new job openings of about 240 have already been projected, taking the total available welding jobs to 4,390. With a percentage increase of 6.1%, the average annual job opening is around 250.

Career Requirements

Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG), and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) are three main areas of welding expertise, and learning there will give you a much better chance of getting a job.

If you choose a career as a welder, there are broad opportunities for specialization and the type of industry where you work. Of course, opportunity and income are among the most important aspects  – and welding in California offers a fair share of these. Above all, though, it’s a great career to pursue if you like the idea of hard but rewarding work where you can see the results right away.

What cities are most popular in Arizona for welders?

Below are the cities in Arizona that hire the most welders. $ amount in parentheses represents the average wage.

  • Phoenix ($19.03 hourly, or about $39,500 annually
  • Mesa ($20.38 hourly, or about $43,000 annually)
  • Chandler ($22.73 hourly, or about $47,500 annually)

What companies are hiring in Arizona?

The following companies are some of the most popular companies to hire welders. They may not indicate the median or average.

  • T&A’s Welding Fabrication & Repair
  • Kiewit Corporation

Top welding schools in Arizona:

Name of Institution
Address
Phone Number
Type of Program
Arizona Automotive Institute Combination Welding Program6829 N 46th Ave Glendale, AZ 85301(800) 321 5861
Central Arizona College Welder Program-Signal Peak Campus8470 N. Overfield Road Coolidge, AZ 85128(520) 494 5444
Arizona Western College Welder Program281 W. 24th Street Yuma, AZ 85365(928) 344 75672 Year College, CTE
Northland Pioneer College Welding Program
Show Low – White Mountain Campus
1001 W. Deuce of Clubs, Show Low Arizona 85901(928) 532 6111
Arizona Western College- Iwt2020 S Ave 8 E, Yuma, AZ 85365(928) 317 6000
Cochise College - Sierra Vista901 North Colombo Avenue, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635(800) 966 79432 Year College
Northland Pioneer College – Painted Desert Campus2251 N. Navajo Boulevard, Holbrook, AZ 86025, United States(800) 266 7845
Mesa Community College1630 East Southern Avenue, Mesa, AZ 85204(480) 482 5900High School
Mohave Community College1971 Jagerson Ave, Kingman, AZ 86409(928) 692 30122 Year College, CTE
Northern Arizona Vocational Institute Of TechnologyNorthland Pioneer College, P.O. Box 610, Holbrook AZ 86025(800) 266 78452 Year College
Yavapai Community College1100 E. Sheldon St, Prescott, AZ 86301(928) 445 73002 Year College
East Valley Institute of Technology1601 West Main St., Mesa, AZ 85201(480) 461 4000CTE
Maricopa Skill Center1245 East Buckeye Road, Phoenix, AZ 85034(602) 238 4300CTE

Top Choices in Other States